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Charity marks a decade of changing lives by launching new fundraising initiatives and inviting South Africans to help feed vulnerable children.
A decade ago, a simple question sparked what would become one of South Africa’s growing responses to child hunger: how can we ensure that no child goes hungry?
Today, that question continues to drive the work of Outside the Bowl Africa, which has marked its 10th anniversary by launching an ambitious campaign to provide 10 million meals and inviting South Africans to join the journey.
The Wellington-based organisation recently celebrated the milestone alongside long-standing partners, volunteers, churches, businesses and community leaders who have helped build the initiative over the past decade.
Feeding thousands of children every day
Founded by Mark Maingard, Outside the Bowl Africa has become a recognised force in the fight against child hunger through its VitaKidz nutrition programme.
The organisation now helps feed around 10,000 children every day through schools, early childhood development centres, churches and community organisations across South Africa.
Beyond simply providing meals, the programme aims to give children a better chance at learning, healthy development and reaching their full potential.
“When we started this journey ten years ago, we knew the need was enormous, but we also believed that ordinary people working together could achieve extraordinary things,” said Maingard.
“Today we celebrate every child fed, every volunteer who packed a bucket, and every partner who chose to be part of the solution.”
More than food
Over the past two years, Outside the Bowl Africa has expanded its reach through partnerships with organisations including FNB, Inceba Trust, churches, schools, corporate CSI teams and community organisations.
Central to its work are VitaKidz meal buckets, which provide nutritious meals that are easy to prepare and distribute to vulnerable communities.
“Food is more than nutrition. It is dignity, opportunity and hope,” said Maingard.
“Every VitaKidz bucket represents people choosing to care about children they may never meet, and that is something worth celebrating.”
A year of giving back
Rather than simply celebrating the past, the organisation is using its anniversary year to encourage even more South Africans to get involved.
One of the first initiatives is the Beanie Project, where every R100 beanie sponsorship provides a warm beanie while funding 20 meals for vulnerable children. The goal is to sponsor or sell 4,500 beanies.
The organisation will also host its annual Nelson Mandela Day Packing Event on 17 and 18 July 2026 at the Kingdom Foods Factory in Wellington.
Corporate teams, churches and community groups will work together to pack 67 VitaKidz food buckets in record time, with participating teams able to nominate the beneficiary organisation that will receive the meals.
“Mandela taught us that meaningful change begins when people are willing to serve others,” said Maingard.
“These packing events transform goodwill into practical action and remind us that every person has the ability to create a better world.”
More opportunities to make a difference
The anniversary campaign continues throughout the year with several fundraising events.
A Golf Day, hosted alongside Inceba Trust and FNB on 15 October ahead of World Food Day, will raise funds for feeding programmes at Inceba’s early childhood development centres.
On 20 November, Outside the Bowl Africa plans to host a celebration for 10,000 children, where every child will receive a soft toy and a hot dog during a day focused on joy and community.
Supporters will also be able to take part in a Renault Kwid raffle, with tickets costing R200 each. Every ticket purchased provides enough meals to feed a child for a month while giving entrants the chance to win a brand-new vehicle.
Looking ahead
While the organisation is celebrating a significant milestone, its focus remains firmly on the future.
“This anniversary belongs to every supporter, every partner and every child whose life has been touched by this work,” said Maingard.
“Ten years is a significant milestone, but the real celebration will come when every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive. Until then, our work continues.”
For Outside the Bowl Africa, the next chapter is about building on a decade of impact and proving that when communities come together, even the biggest challenges can be tackled one meal, one child and one act of kindness at a time.
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